OPETH Drummer To Guest On DEATH Tribute CD?

OPETH drummer Martin Lopez is the latest high-profile metal musician linked with the upcoming DEATH tribute project, "Within The Mind - In Homage To The Musical Legacy Of Chuck Schuldiner", tentatively due in June through Holland's Mascot Records.

"At [Monday] night's OPETH concert in Tampa, drummer Martin Lopez expressed his interest in playing at least one track on the 'Within The Mind' project," said James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY),one of the musicians spearheading the release. "Schedules permitting, I will try hard to make certain that he does!"

The project, which was conceived by CKY guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller as a means to help guitarist James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) raise money for his medical bills (Murphy is currently receiving treatment for a massive brain tumor with which he was diagnosed in August 2001),is expected to feature a number of special guest appearances, including those by Miller, Murphy, Dave Culross (MALEVOLENT CREATION, ex-SUFFOCATION),Mikael Thomson (SLIPKNOT),Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT),Brett Hoffmann (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION),Richard Christy (ICED EARTH, ex-DEATH, CONTROL DENIED),Ross Dolan (IMMOLATION),Mike Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, ex-HALFORD),and Terry Butler (SIX FEET UNDER, ex-DEATH, MASSACRE).

Regarding Christy's involvement, Murphy said, "Richard will play on a total of four tracks which originate on the 'Human' and 'Individual Thought Patterns' albums. he will spend the next week or so refreshing his memory and sharpening his chops on those songs and then I will join him at his Orlando warehouse the following weekend for some intense rehearsals after which we will enter a local Orlando studio (ARS is the most likely choice) and lay down his tracks. we're very excited and honored to have Richard on board and his tracks will be the first to be recorded for the project!

"Soon after I will begin rehearsals with Dave Culross and he will record the majority of the remaining drum tracks."

As previously reported, other musicians that are interested in participating (if their touring and/or recording schedules allow) include Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN),Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT),Eric Peterson (TESTAMENT, DRAGONLORD),Luc Lemay (GORGUTS),Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND),Richard Christy (ICED EARTH, ex-DEATH, CONTROL DENIED),Rya and Chad of MUDVAYNE, Patrick Mameli (ex-PESTILENCE),and Jean-Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM).

According to Murphy, "The track selection will span DEATH's career from 'Scream Bloody Gore' to 'Symbolic', the thought being that the 'Sound of Perseverance' songs are too recent to consider for a tribute CD."